Theriotypes & Therian Glossary

A theriotype is the real, earthly animal a therian identifies as. Below are common theriotypes with full guides covering their meaning, traits, signs, and typical shifts. Not sure which fits you? Take the free What's My Theriotype? quiz.

Wolf

Fox

Domestic Cat

Lion

Tiger

Panther / Leopard

Dog

Coyote

Deer

Horse

Hawk / Bird of Prey

Owl

Raven / Corvid

Rabbit / Hare

Bear

Otter

Dragon

Therian Glossary

Key terms used across the therian and alterhuman community:

Therian — someone who identifies as a real, earthly animal (non-physically).
Theriotype — the specific animal a therian identifies as.
Otherkin — someone who identifies as a mythical or fictional being (e.g. a dragon).
Otherhearted — someone who feels deep kinship with an animal, but not as one.
Copinglink — a consciously chosen identity adopted for comfort or coping.
Alterhuman — the umbrella term covering therians, otherkin, otherhearted and more.
Awakening — the process of realizing and accepting one is a therian.
Shift — a temporary, non-physical move toward one's theriotype (mental, phantom, sensory, dream, astral, feral).
Cladotherian — identifies with an entire clade (e.g. all canines) rather than one species.
Polytherian — has more than one theriotype.
Polymorph — theriotype changes or rotates over time.
Contherian — experiences a constant, integrated human-animal state with no shifting.
Suntherian — an integrated baseline with gentle, dynamic swings (no full shifts).
Vacillant — shifts that are smooth and gradual, sliding along a scale.
Paleotherian — theriotype is an extinct species.
Theta-delta (ΘΔ) — the therian community symbol; the delta represents change.

Browse all therian types & shifting styles and alterhuman identities for full guides.

Want to find your own place in this? Try the Therian, Otherkin or Otherhearted? quiz or learn more on our About & FAQ page.